Dispute resolution
The members at Serle Court have wide ranging expertise across chancery commercial litigation; this offering includes representation in international fraud, asset tracing, insolvency, company and shareholder, professional negligence, and financial services disputes. Among the silks at the set, Elizabeth Jones KC boasts a thriving commercial and private client practice, while Philip Marshall KC has substantial experience appearing before the courts of the BVI and Bermuda in civil fraud proceedings and cases surrounding the freezing and disclosure of assets. He is acting for the claimant liquidators of an international construction company in a claim for $1bn concerning fraudulent trading and conspiracy to defraud (Joannou Paraskavides Overseas Limited v Joannou). John Machell KC frequently handles offshore company and partnership disputes, and Jonathan Adkin KC is a highly sought after silk for large minority shareholder disputes, as well as share appraisal actions, in the BVI, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands. Ruth Jordan and Emma Hargreaves are both notable juniors; Jordan has expertise in challenging large development and infrastructure projects, while Hargreaves is acting for the claimant in Wong v Grand View Private Trust Company Ltd, who is seeking to recover company shares worth $22bn. Adil Mohamedbhai is representing various dissenting shareholders in a case involving compulsorily acquired shares after the merger of numerous companies that form part of the Hong Kong-headquartered Jardine Matheson conglomerate.
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Profile
Work Department
Liz has a wide-ranging practice both in the UK and offshore in the chancery and commercial fields, ranging from offshore trusts to commercial arbitration and civil fraud. Most of her cases are multi-jurisdictional and many involve dishonesty or breach of duty in some field or another. She is also a mediator.
Position
Described recently by Chambers & Partners as "superlative and top of the tree" and as a "renowned trial advocate", Liz is widely recognized as a first class litigator, noted for her intellectual rigour, hands-on approach and team work. In addition to general commercial/contract/company disputes, she has particular expertise in civil fraud and asset tracing, banking and financial services (including regulatory work), contentious trust and probate, and has nearly 30 years' experience in the music business. Most of her cases are complex, multi-party and often cross-jurisdictional disputes. Liz is noted by clients and directories for her highly persuasive advocacy and her ability to master and control very large scale and often cross jurisdictional litigation. She regularly works in the Channel Islands and is called to the Bar in the BVI. Liz is Head of Chambers.
Liz also has significant regulatory and disciplinary experience, having been Complaints Ombudsman for LIFFE between 2000 and 2008. Liz is a well known mediator, and this forms a small but significant part of her practice. She also sits as a deputy High Court Judge in the Chancery Division.
Liz has fought several cases in different jurisdictions where the governing law of the dispute was Saudi law, in particular in the areas of contract law, agency, tort, and commercial distribution within Saudi Arabia.
Career
Qualified 1984, Middle Temple and Lincoln’s Inn; KC 2000.
Memberships
Chancery Bar Association, COMBAR, ACTAPS.
Education
Howells School; King’s College, Cambridge (1983 BA).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Nicholas Hockney, Daniel Wheeler and Arron Snipe are excellent and extremely responsive, offering a 24/7 service.'
- 'Clerks are always quick and easy to deal with, particularly Daniel Wheeler, Colin Bunyan and Georgina Affor.'
- 'They understand commercial imperatives for the matters and never have any issue with them.'
- 'Nicholas Hockney is outstanding.'
- 'Serle Court is a superb set. They have a range of commercial and chancery expertise which is absolutely top tier. The barristers there are uniformly excellent.'